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Photographer Captures Amusing Pics Of Stunning Mantises, And Here Are 30 Of The Best Ones
Wildlife photographer Pang Way shoots a lot from up close. Mostly, little critters that don't normally catch our attention and that are so small, we walk right past them without even noticing them.
A big and important part of Way's work is mantises or praying mantises like people like to call them. They got this name for their prominent front legs, which are bent and held together at an angle that suggests the position of prayer.
But regardless of what you call them, these insects are formidable predators. They have triangular heads poised on a long "neck" or elongated thorax. Mantises can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan the area with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them.
Typically green or brown and well camouflaged in their surroundings, mantises lie in ambush or patiently stalk their quarry. They use their front legs to snare their prey with reflexes so quick that they are difficult to spot with the naked eye. Their legs are further equipped with spikes for snaring prey and pinning it in place.
Few photographers have portrayed just how stunning these little berserk fellas are. And Way is one of them. Continue scrolling and enjoy these fascinating pics.
More info: Instagram
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#1
A.M. Pierre 5 years ago
I love learning about animals and nature, so it isn't often that I can say, "There's something I haven't seen before." That having been said... There's something I haven't seen before! And it's awesome!
Hazy Egg 5 years ago
It looks more like an art piece than an actual animal
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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
Wow, what a stunning creature! It's wings are gorgeous and could rival any butterfly.
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Spiny flower mantis, Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii. Native to Africa. They reach about 2 inches long.
Arturo García 5 years ago
I am so atheist that the praying mantis in my garden are all of the agnostic...
Weim Central 5 years ago
My only question is what background is this insect supposed to blend into?
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
I had to look this little guy up on Google and supposedly it is a spiny flower mantis and some people keep them as pets. I wonder if its unique colouring help it blend if with the orchids/flowers in its natural habitat. There is an entire species of mantis called "flower mantis" that mimic flowers. I wonder if the eye-spots on its wings may also help confuse potential predators. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/12/orchid-mantises-evolution-insects/
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It's usually the moths, crickets, grasshoppers, and flies who receive unwanted mantid attention. However, these brutal insects will also eat others of their own kind. What really stands out is the mating behavior of the adult female, who sometimes eats her mate just after—or even during—mating. In their defense, however, this 'fetish' seems not to deter males from participating in reproduction.
I mean, maybe it's a sacrifice they make willingly. A 2016 study found that when female Chinese mantises consume their mates, they acquire important amino acids that are then incorporated into the eggs they lay, appearing to lay twice as many eggs after cannibalizing a male than they normally would.
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#2
Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
I think it's some celebrity, holding a cigarette, and her BFF.
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PhantomBuni 5 years ago
“You need to take a seat honey, we don’t need all that plastic here.” “Looking for plastic, huh Kirsten? Better look for it by your new cheekbones.”
So while the male would probably like to live and mate with multiple females, at least his death is not in vain; his nutrients give his DNA an elevated chance of getting passed on to the next generation.
As for humans, we shouldn't be afraid of their saw-like arms and alien eyes; they pose no threat to those who aren't insects, geckos, or hummingbirds.
#3
Tracey Tait 5 years ago
I know Crane style and will use a illegal kick to the face, watch yo'self!
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Banded flower mantis, Theopropus elegans. Native to Southeast Asia, adults are about an inch long.
"I got into wildlife photography out of curiosity," Way told Bored Panda. "It's something I have been interested in since I was a child."
"Mantises are my favorite insects. For me, mantises are the perfect models for macro photography."
Way started taking photos of mantises in 2013. Now, he has photographed over 100 species of them and has vowed to continue looking for more.
The photographer said one needs both luck and skill to take a good mantis photo. However, Way welcomes the challenge. "Mantises may look aggressive but actually they are very gentle and they all look like a professional models."
#4
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Giant Shield Mantis, Rhombodera sp. Native to Asia, adults reach 3 to 5 inches long. A very robust species that will eat anything it can get its claws on.
#5
Manasvi Tupe 5 years ago
When you merge mantis and a butterfly this is the result, and its beautiful!
MantisGirl13 5 years ago (edited)
Helvia cardinalis, the yellow orchid mantis. I'd love to have the privilege of having one of those!
#6
danielw 5 years ago
I'm so glad somebody else said this. We're all thinking it, hehe.
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#7
Gerrit 5 years ago
And some people still think aliens don't exist. They are already among us! :)
jevais 5 years ago
GERRIT yes they are among us, the biggest most dangerous of them all is the orange Napal bomb president of the United States!
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MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Idolomantis diabolica, the Devil's flower mantis. Stunning threat displays!
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Devil's flower mantis, Idolomantis diabolica. Native to Africa, adults can be anywhere from 3 to 6 inches long.
#8
Perfumista Perfumista 5 years ago
What happens when you let your little girl design the bugs in the yard
Catlynn Valencia 5 years ago
Why does it feel like this one should be singing a sexy "Happy Birthday Mr. President?"
#9
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Orchid mantis, Hymenopus coronatus. Subadult female. Native to Southeast Asia, males reach an inch and females 2-3 inches.
#10
Raine Soo 5 years ago
The face reminds me of the illustrated adverts for sea monkeys. I remember those back from when I was a kid.
Mya Lugar 2 years ago
Me, too, but overall this one reminds me of a blue crab.
Load More Replies... MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Devil's Flower Mantis, Idolomantis diabolica. Native to Africa, adults reach 3-6 inches long.
#11
Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
Tea for two, and two for tea... Just a little softshoe.
Load More Replies... Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
May I have this dance? (I love how their bodies seem to mimic dead leaves. Nature is so freaking fascinating.)
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Deroplatys sp. Dead leaf Mantis. Native to Southeast Asia, adults reach 3 inches long. Very robust and ravenous species.
Backtotheislands 5 years ago
Thank you for adding info to these beautiful creature pics. Much appreciated!
Load More Replies... Elak Swindell 5 years ago
How are the two symmetrically aligned like that? Not only are they extremely wild in color design, but for both to be standing in nearly the same position is really odd.
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Actually, that's a pretty common position for a dead leaf mantis in a threat pose.
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#12
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Rhombodera basalis, Giant Asian Shield Mantis. Native to Asia, adults reach 3 to 5 inches long.
#13
Iapetos 5 years ago
They eat their mate's head in far rarer occasions than most people think.
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FridayFeels 5 years ago
Actually, this big mantis is a female and the smaller one is a male.
Load More Replies... MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Ghost mantis, Phyllocrania paradoxa. Native to Masagascar and parts of Africa. Adults get 2 inches long. A very docile, easy species, one of my personal favorites.
#15
Maryann Radulski 5 years ago
shall we dance, on a bright cloud of music shall we fly, shall we dance, shall we then say goodnight and not good by.
#16
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
This is a subadult (juvenile) female of the same species as the first picture in this post, the spiny flower mantis.
#17
Fluffy Griffin 4 years ago
Do they change color to white as they age? Or are some subspecies pink and others white?
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MantisGirl13 5 years ago
This species is actually the most common mantis species in the world, the Chinese mantis. Found all over America, Asia, parts of Africa, etc.
#19
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Close! It is actually called the dead leaf mantis. ;)
Load More Replies... MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Dead leaf mantis, Deroplatys sp. Native to Malaysia, adults reach 3 to 5 inches long.
#21
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
This species, the orchid mantis, is designed to look like a flower not to blend in, but to actually look like a flower so that pollinators come to pollinate it and then get eaten. A very efficient way of hunting!
Margaret Johnson 5 years ago
The same way rump became the resident of the WH
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#22
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Giant Asian Mantis, Hierodula sp. Blue. Native to Asia, adults reach about 3 or 4 inches in size.
Ellen Daniels 5 years ago
Hey guys, I say we have a few beers, & jump off a garage roof. Whad'ya say?
#23
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Flower mantis, Creobroter sp. Native to Asia, adults reach about an inch long. Small, cute, and easy to care for.
Elak Swindell 5 years ago
"Ah good stretch in the morning is always wonderful. Now where's breakfast?"
#24
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
Yes, I'm captivated by the various moths that camouflage themselves as bird poop or a scrap of lichen.
Load More Replies... MantisGirl13 5 years ago (edited)
I love spiny flower mantids. They look so different at all stages of their life.
#25
#26
#27
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Boxer mantis, Hestiasula sp. Native to Asia, adults are about an inch long.
#28
Chewie Baron 5 years ago
It won't be a juvenile mantis, as soon as they emerge from their eggs, they have to find somewhere safe immediately. If an adult mantis is nearby, including its mother, it'll be eaten if it is seen.
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Actually, it is a juvenile nymph, but they were posed this way by the photographer. This wouldn't happen naturally.
Load More Replies... MantisGirl13 5 years ago
The mantis on top is a young nymph, and this species is fairly communal, so cannibalism isn't as likely.
Load More Replies... MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Agreed! Females can be any color from green to gold to reddish dark brown, and anywhere in between.
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#29
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
It's called the moss mantis, and its very easy to see why!
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Fieke Engelen 5 years ago
I'm curious, I've seen the odd mantis but they were ever only brownish?? I live in Australia, where do these multi coloured ones live?
MantisGirl13 5 years ago (edited)
Australia has a few interesting species, but most of these are found in Asia and Africa, some in South America.
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Jane Alexander 5 years ago
Again, all the pretty pictures and NO IDENTIFICATION OF ANY OF THEM. -I get so tired....
ArhomR 5 years ago
Look for postings by MantisGirl13, she’s got the goods on them all.
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#31
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Believe it or not, these are the freshly hatched nymphs of the orchid mantis, the white flower mimic in above posts.
#32
MantisGirl13 5 years ago
Yes, I believe a common name for this species is the conehead mantis, although it's not a very common species.
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What do you think ?
Laugh or not 5 years ago
I didn't know mantis came in so many beautiful forms. It is a feast for the eyes.
A.M. Pierre 5 years ago
I can't say I've ever thought, "I sure wish someone would post a bunch of pictures of insects", but I'm very glad they did. Those were really cool!
Kathryn Baylis 5 years ago (edited)
This article makes me so happy. Praying Mantis is my all time favorite bug, with a tie between the dragonfly and bumblebee a close second. They’re so aware of you. If you’re looking at a mantis that’s sitting on your finger and they’re looking back at you, then you move your hand, they’re the only bug I know who will turn their head to keep you in their sight. I will go to great lengths to protect them from people who want to just kill them. I’ll move them to a safe area and release them there rather than let them be killed. (Yeah, I’m THAT weirdo.)
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
Hehe, I'm that weirdo too, only with spiders.
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Mama Panda 5 years ago
I love mantises. They are so colorful and pretty. I love to hold them and watch their heads turn like they can hear me when I talk to them. Bonus: They love to eat spiders!!!!
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
Really beautiful and fascinating insects (plus, amazing photography to boot). Many of them look like they are from an alien world.
Laugh or not 5 years ago
I didn't know mantis came in so many beautiful forms. It is a feast for the eyes.
A.M. Pierre 5 years ago
I can't say I've ever thought, "I sure wish someone would post a bunch of pictures of insects", but I'm very glad they did. Those were really cool!
Kathryn Baylis 5 years ago (edited)
This article makes me so happy. Praying Mantis is my all time favorite bug, with a tie between the dragonfly and bumblebee a close second. They’re so aware of you. If you’re looking at a mantis that’s sitting on your finger and they’re looking back at you, then you move your hand, they’re the only bug I know who will turn their head to keep you in their sight. I will go to great lengths to protect them from people who want to just kill them. I’ll move them to a safe area and release them there rather than let them be killed. (Yeah, I’m THAT weirdo.)
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
Hehe, I'm that weirdo too, only with spiders.
Load More Replies... Mama Panda 5 years ago
I love mantises. They are so colorful and pretty. I love to hold them and watch their heads turn like they can hear me when I talk to them. Bonus: They love to eat spiders!!!!
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
Really beautiful and fascinating insects (plus, amazing photography to boot). Many of them look like they are from an alien world.
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